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Process for the removal of contaminants from water

a technology for removing contaminants and water, applied in separation processes, membranes, water treatment, etc., can solve the problems of increasing toxic emissions, corroding and fouling equipment, and limited application of contaminant removal units

Active Publication Date: 2007-12-11
BL TECH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing contaminants from water. The method involves using a reverse osmosis system with multiple stages to separate the water feed into a permeate and a reject, which includes the contaminants. The stages are connected in series, with the permeate from one stage being combined with the reject from the previous stage. The method includes steps of applying pressure to the water feed, controlling the pressure, and adjusting the pH of the permeate before introducing it to the second reverse osmosis system. The apparatus includes a reverse osmosis system with multiple stages, a pre-treatment system, and a pH adjustment device. The technical effects of the invention include efficient and effective removal of contaminants from water, with reduced impact on the environment.

Problems solved by technology

In the fields of hydrocarbon and chemical processing, contaminants such as ammonia and amines, hydrogen sulfide, carbonate, other sulfur acids and organic acids can cause a variety of problems.
For example, these contaminants can lead to corrosion and fouling of equipment, and an increase in toxic emissions.
When ammonia is present in a steam system, it can lead to corrosion, particularly with copper metallurgy.
This wash water is often recycled into the hydrocarbon process where ammonia may cause additional corrosion, fouling and lead to NOx emission.
Presently, application of contaminant removal unit operation has been limited due to capital and operational costs.
Development of a simplified and economical method to remove these contaminants has not been achieved in the art.
However, Mukhopadhyay does not treat water exposed to hydrocarbon or chemical processing which may include a greater concentration of contaminants, nor does Mukhopadhyay provide a method for the removal of ammonia.
However, Pittner's method is similarly deficient as Mukhopadhyay's method in failing to address the additional concerns associated with hydrocarbon and chemical process waters, including failure to address the removal of ammonia.

Method used

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  • Process for the removal of contaminants from water
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  • Process for the removal of contaminants from water

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0062]The water feed was first degasified then fed through the reverse osmosis (RO) system. There was no pH adjustment, the carbon filter was not used, and the target recovery was 50%. As shown in Table 1, this example demonstrates that, even without pH adjustment, ammonia and organic acids were removed. The ammonia concentration decreased from 155 ppm to 6.1 ppm which is a 96% decrease. Organic acids were decreased from 16.7 ppm to 2.4 ppm.

[0063]

TABLE 11. Process4. pHCondensate2. DegasAdjustedRO6. RO7. ROPercentParameterUnits(PC)PCPCFeedRejectPermeateRejectionField pHunits5.75.95.97.64.8Lab pHunits6.67.57.67.66.2Sodiumppm as0.00.00.00.20.0NaFreeppm as N107.0109.0107.0190.05.495%AmmoniaFixedppm as N48.024.019.721.00.796%OrganicAmmoniaTotalppm as N155.0133.019.721.00.796%AmmoniaAcetic Acidppm as8.78.78.827.01.484%C2HO2Formicppm as8.07.98.012.41.088%AcidCH2O2Pressurepsig110.0160.0140.0

example 2

[0064]Similar to Example 1, the water feed in Example 2 was first degasified. Then the pH was monitored and caustic was injected to achieve a pH of 9.0. Carbon filtration was not included and the target recovery was 50%.

[0065]The results of this test are shown in Table 2. While the ammonia removal was not as efficient at the elevated pH (9.0), a 66.67% removal of ammonia was demonstrated. The elevated pH in this example did achieve an enhance removal of organic acids, from 15.1 ppm in the process water to 0.3 ppm in the RO permeate, approximately 98% rejection of organic acids.

[0066]

TABLE 21. Process2.4. pHCondensateDegasAdjustedRO6. RO7. ROPercentParameterUnits(PC)PCPCFeedRejectPermeateRejectionField pHunits5.66.69.08.610.2Lab pHunits6.07.38.88.69.8Sodiumppm as0.00.0116.0235.06.095%NaFreeppm as N71.070.068.0107.026.062%AmmoniaFixedppm as N19.321.022.046.04.380%OrganicAmmoniaTotalppm as N90.091.090.0153.030.366%AmmoniaAcetic Acidppm as6.86.97.016.00.199%C2HO2Formic Acidppm as8.38.48...

example 3

[0067]This example was conducted similarly to Example 1. Specifically, the process condensate was degasified, but there was no pH adjustment, no carbon filtration, and the target recovery was 50%. As shown in Table 3, the results were comparable to those demonstrated by Example 1. Ammonia concentration was reduced by 95% from 140 ppm to 6.7 ppm in the permeate.

[0068]

TABLE 31. Process2.4. pHCondensateDegasAdjustedRO6. RO7. ROPercentParameterUnits(PC)PCPCFeedRejectPermeateRejectionField pHunits5.66.56.56.95.1Lab pHunits6.16.97.07.35.7Sodiumppm as0.00.00.00.00.085%NaFreeppm as N140.0130.0139.0258.05.796%AmmoniaFixedppm as N6.06.09.014.01.089%OrganicAmmoniaTotalppm as N140.0142.0151.0272.06.796%AmmoniaAcetic Acidppm as9.69.69.719.11.090%C2HO2Formic Acidppm as8.18.28.215.01.088%CH2O2Pressurepsig30.0150.0131.0

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Abstract

The present invention provides a method of removing contaminants from water which includes the steps of first providing a water feed exposed to at least one hydrocarbon or chemical process. This water feed is set in-line with a reverse osmosis system which includes an inlet, at least one reverse osmosis membrane, a permeate outlet, and a reject outlet. Then, pressure is applied to the water feed, or where the pressure of the water feed is higher than desired, the pressure is controlled or reduced. The pressure of the water feed serves to force the water feed through the reverse osmosis system. The reverse osmosis system then separates the water feed into a permeate and reject which includes at least one of the contaminants. The permeate is then directed to the permeate outlet and the reject is directed to the reject outlet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the removal of contaminants from water, particularly water which has been recovered from a variety of hydrocarbon and chemical processes. Particularly, contaminants including ammonia and amine, hydrogen sulfide, other sulfur acids, carbonate, and organic acids may be removed by the methods and apparatus of the present invention.BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY[0002]In the fields of hydrocarbon and chemical processing, contaminants such as ammonia and amines, hydrogen sulfide, carbonate, other sulfur acids and organic acids can cause a variety of problems. For example, these contaminants can lead to corrosion and fouling of equipment, and an increase in toxic emissions.[0003]Ammonia and amines are one example of a problematic contaminant. Ammonia and amines are formed from any nitrogen present in the crude, oil, or gas to be processed as well as nitrogen bearing compounds which may be introduce...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B01D61/04B01D61/10B01D61/02B01D61/58C02F1/20C02F1/28C02F1/44C02F1/66
CPCB01D61/025B01D61/04B01D61/58C02F1/441B01D61/027C02F2103/365B01D61/145B01D61/147B01D2311/04C02F1/20C02F1/283C02F1/444C02F1/66C02F2101/16C02F2101/38B01D2311/18
Inventor BAGGOTT, SEANEGGERT, TIMOTHY W.KNIGHT, CHIP
Owner BL TECH INC